Can Care Guidance Save Rural Hospitals?

The persistent closure of rural hospitals across the United States poses a significant threat to the accessibility of essential healthcare services, encompassing both emergency and in-patient care. These closures introduce fresh impediments and exacerbate disparities, particularly for residents residing and working within the catchment areas of these at-risk hospitals. To address this impending crisis, healthcare institutions are increasingly turning to innovative care guidance services and their associated value proposition. Going beyond the traditional scope of patient navigation, care guidance presents a potent solution for rural hospitals, offering enhancements in patient satisfaction, retention, care quality, reimbursement models, diminished readmission rates, and shorter hospital stays. Patients benefit from personalized support, clinical staff gain the capacity to focus on clinical tasks, and hospital administrators are presented with an opportunity to enhance financial performance, ensuring operational stability. Research underscores the pivotal role of access in advancing health equity and overall health outcomes.